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RADIO - Evolution 1079 - Whitecaps Stadium Discussion
Catch Stadium NOW! live on the radio May 8 (Thursday) at approximately 9:05AM for an in the studio interview (about 15 minutes).
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Letter by the British Columbia Soccer Association published in the Vancouver Sun, May 6, 2008
“But we can safely say the impact of a professional soccer stadium project in Vancouver would be even more profound here in B.C., where the BCSA is working with its districts, leagues and clubs and the Government of British Columbia (through ActNow) to promote the benefits of active living and fitness for children and for all residents of B.C.”
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Vancouver Sun blog - City States, May 8, 2008
“Today, the ardent fans of the Whitecaps new soccer stadium on the waterfront have extended an invitation to the five candidates, along with undeclared but perpetually hinting David Cadman from COPE, to express their views on the stadium through their blog.”
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Recent Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium news
“STADIUM THOUGHTS:” 24 Hours Vancouver, May 9, 2008
“The Canadian Soccer Association's new president has not waded into the Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium debate - yet. "We don't have any requests from B.C. Soccer Association or the Whitecaps, but if the Whitecaps ask us, surely we'll help them,"”
“CSA finally gives support to Waterfront Stadium”, CKNW, May 6, 2008
“The Canadian Soccer Association is finally taking a pro-active stance on the Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium issue.
When asked by CKNW today, newly elected CSA General Secretary Peter Montopoli indicated they would lend support to a process that started in 2003.”
“Lenarduzzi: Vancouver Whitecaps had no plans for condos”, Vancouver Sun, April 30, 2008
“The former Vancouver soccer star said a front-page story in Wednesday's Vancouver Sun headlined "Stadium plan includes condos" conveyed the impression that Kerfoot's plan to build a $90-million stadium was as much a real estate play as it was an investment in professional soccer.
"If I read that headline, I'm thinking that there is something sinister taking place here," Lenarduzzi told The Vancouver Sun's editorial board Wednesday. "That's bullshit. That's not the case."”
See the related Vancouver Sun video “Video: Lenarduzzi refutes condo allegations”
“A beautiful dream” Metro, April 30, 2008
“An international soccer friendly between Canada and Brazil in Seattle next month is the latest in a laundry list of entertainment and sporting events missed because Vancouver lacks a suitable venue.”
Team 1040 - Pratt and Taylor, Podcast (MP3 format) from April 29, 2008
Pratt and Taylor on the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and the negotiations with the Whitecaps. Comments from Bob Lenarduzzi and Larry Campbell included.
Stadium talk starts about 55 minutes into the podcast.
“Stadium talks underway again” CKNW, April 29, 2008
“The Vancouver Whitecaps and the Vancouver Port Authority are sounding more conciliatory as they discuss a proposed waterfront stadium. This after talks hit an impasse and part of those discussions were made public.”
“A senator steps in to get a soccer stadium on track” Vancouver Sun, April 29, 2008
“Five years after Campbell, then Vancouver's mayor, first encouraged Kerfoot to build a downtown stadium, a shovel has yet to be sunk into the ground, although there should be a few people hit over the head with one.”
“Senator offers help in stadium impasse” The Province, April 29, 2008
“Vancouver Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi is welcoming an offer by Sen. Larry Campbell to play striker in stalled talks over a proposed waterfront soccer stadium.”
“Campbell wades into new stadium debate” 24 Hours, April 29, 2008
"I'd like to really see it go ahead. It would be tremendous for the city," Campbell said. "The Whitecaps have been great citizens. It would be nice to bring them into Vancouver."
THE COMFORT ZONE Gerry Dobson, Sportsnet, April 29, 2008
“There are rumours that BC Place will undergo a $100-million renovation, including a retractable roof, for the 2010 Olympics.
It will be funded by tax-payer dollars of course. The cost however will be offset by the sale of some of the most valuable property in the country adjacent to the stadium.
Of course Whitecaps owner Greg Kerfoot has been wanting to build his own stadium with his own money, but the idiots at City Hall in Vancouver are well....idiots.”
“Larry Campbell wading in on Whitecaps staduim debate” CKNW, April 28, 2008
“Campbell says he thinks the stadium would be a great addition to the waterfront, and hopes city council will get more involved.” (spelling mistake CKNW’s...)
Global BC news coverage of Whitecaps stadium proposal (Monday, April 28 Sportscast - stadium coverage starts 1 minute, 35 seconds into the video)
“Vancouver needs to get on and build a soccer stadium” The Province, April 27, 2008
“Vancouver likes to boast it is a world-class city. But in the negotiations to build a new waterfront soccer stadium it is proving to be a minor-league player indeed.”
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Stadium NOW! News Blog post:
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Listen to CKNW’s Jim Mullin comment on the current status of the Whitecaps stadium proposal vis a vis negotiations with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. (MP3 file hosted on FOS)
Stadium NOW! News Blog post:
The Vancouver malaise 2008 edition
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Recently statements by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority were made on CKNW regarding land negotiations with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Get the Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s response here.
Read Mayor Sam Sullivan’s response to the critical guest editorial published in the Vancouver Sun.
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Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium news in the media is being seeded on stadiumnow.newsvine.com
Stadium NOW! sections
Stadium NOW! is a group of Gastown residents and businesses who support the proposed Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium in Gastown, Vancouver, BC
Extras
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-Mayor (and Mayor Hopeful) and Council watch. Their views and efforts, and lack thereof on the Whitecaps stadium proposal.
Relevant sites
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-Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium section on the Vancouver Whitecaps FC web site
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-City of Vancouver - Central Waterfront Hub Study & Whitecaps Stadium Review web site
Recommended
Ouch...
“The Impact has to wait until May 19 - when the club hosts the Vancouver Whitecaps in its United Soccer Leagues First Division home opener - to officially inaugurate the 13,000-seat, soccer-specific stadium. It was built for $15 million with a private donation from the family of Lino Saputo and bank financing splitting the cost.” (“Impact spreads wings in new home”, The Gazette, May 8, 2008)
Double-ouch...
Winkler added: "Personally, I think we're doing some goodwill for the City of Vancouver just by considering this." (From the Vancouver Sun article, “A senator steps in to get a soccer stadium on track” April 29, 2008
City of Vancouver Central Waterfront Hub Study - Open Houses held in April, 2008
Presentation materials | Feedback form
“I am hopeful that the negotiations between the Port and the Whitecaps will prove fruitful and that this proposal can come back to Council for approval in short order. Only then can we begin to move forward on building a world-class, premiere facility that will make all Vancouverites proud.”
Sam Sullivan, Mayor, City of Vancouver
“No doubt, our mayor and councillors will try to say “wait...that's not our fault...we support the stadium”. But all they've been so far are cheerleaders. There's a difference between cheerleaders and champions. The champions are the ones willing to go the extra mile to make the extraordinary happen. Cheerleaders just stand on the sidelines and shout.”
Bill Currie, Friends of Soccer
“I believe that Vancouver is one of the world's most beautiful places and the opportunity to make it an even more beautiful and integrated city is being presented to us by a private citizen. It is a great moment in the life of city when it's leading residents step forward to enhance the lifestyle and the character for all residents and we should support these great efforts vocally. I encourage everyone to stand up and behind the building of the new soccer stadium and the building of another great chapter in the history of our home. The Whitecaps are a lasting institution in Vancouver and they deserve a home of prominence.”
M. Peter Morrison, Vancouver
News items on the Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium are also being seeded on stadiumnow.newsvine.com
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